I cover the entire gourd with beeswax the build up certain areas with the wax then sculpt it into the figures that I will be creating. I then Bead the entire gourd or sometimes ostrich shells from bottom to top with 13/0 beads. These beads are picked up with a pin and then pushed into the wax one bead at a time.
The African Rose took me 2 1/2 years to complete.
under gourdbeader
http://flickeflu.com/set/72157623572104620
I think that this will probably be the last of the big ones I make. I hope to finish it by the end of the year.
I will probably make some smaller ones from the little buffalo gourds like this little sea turtle one I made ...»
I also did a few with different scenes for my Daughters for Christmas.
This is where I get the original idea of beads into wax. Huichol Indians made these. Beautiful colors.
I have posted several pics, I hope they won't bore you. Its just a variety of what I do with them.
Thank you all for you interest.
I will post a photo of the last one I completed on a Swordfish Bill and little later after you have had a chance to catch your breath.
My Partner Tori has been doing a lot lately with antique cigar boxes...making small "shadow box" like scenes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/torisaur/sets/
In answer to your question about where I find the large gourds, I find some at foothillsfarm.com. They are in Ohio and others I have bought off Ebay. Yep I just look for HUGE BUSHEL GOURDS... and I find 42" gourds. Biggies, huh?
I have had a few displays in the Siletz Indian Reservation Library and the Toledo and Newport libraries. It has also been displayed in two galleries here.
It wasn't for sale then but the African and the Sword fish Bill creations are both for sale now.